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A to Z of WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA 2010 - Spain
SPAIN:
Until relatively recently Spain were ranked 1st in the World by FIFA, but have now been knocked off the top spot by Brazil. Between November 2006 and June 2009 they were undefeated in 35 matches, a record they also share with Brazil. South Africa will be the Iberians 13th showing at the World Cup Finals. Their previous 12 appearances include a 4th spot overall (1950) and four quarter-final appearances (’34, ’86, ’94 and ‘02). Anything less than a semi-final berth this time around will be viewed as a major disappointment.
Spain were one of the first nations to book their place in South Africa. They were victorious in all ten of their qualifying matches, scoring 28 goals and conceding only 5. That run included a 5-2 away win over the group runners-up, Bosnia-Hertzegovina, and a 5-0 home win over Belgium.
Head Coach of a very talented side is Vicente del Basque who took over shortly after La Furia Roja (The Red Fury) had won the EURO 2008 competition. He, like his predecessor Luis Aragones, is committed to the short-passing game synonymous with Spanish football.
This style relies heavily of having midfielders of the highest quality. Xabi Alonso (late of Liverpool and now with Real Madrid), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), David Silva (Valencia) and Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona) are proof, if proof were needed, that Spain is fantastically well equipped to dazzle and dominate all midfields!
As if such riches were not enough, the Iberians can also boast of one of the most formidable strike forces in the world – David Villa (late of Valencia and now with Barcelona) and El Nino himself, Fernando Torres ( currently with Liverpool but …… ). Although doubts remain about Torres’ readiness for the opening fixture against Switzerland, his and Villa’s combined total of 60 international goals is enough to strike fear into any defence.
Villa is 9/1 with Boylesports to be the tournament’s leading goal scorer whilst Torres is 14/1 with Stan James to win the Golden Boot. An enticing double of top goal scorer and winning team
(Torres and Spain) can be had at 22/1 with Paddy Power.
Spain has been drawn in Group H alongside Chile, Honduras and Switzerland. Odds on, 3/1 with Coral, to win the Group, there is every expectation that they will progress smoothly to the semi-finals (11/10 with William Hill ). The odds of a Final appearance are pitched at 11/5 with Sportingbet.
Right from the initial draw in December 2009 for the World Cup Finals, Spain have been the clear favourites to win FIFA’s premier trophy. If La Furia Roja play to their considerable strengths, then the 17/4 odds, available from bwin, on a Spanish victory may seem a reasonably safe bet after all.
Posted: Monday, June 7th, 2010 @ 10:06 pm by Mark
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